Ficus maclellandii plant named Ficus Amstel King

ABSTRACT

A Ficus maclellandii plant that has wide leaves and is tolerant of stress conditions and has rapid growth habit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of the Ficusmaclellandii. The varietal denomination of the new cultivar is Ficus`Amstel King`.

The new variety was discovered as a mutation in a controlled planting ofFicus maclellandii in a greenhouse in Aalsmeer, The Netherlands. Themutation did not result from tissue culture but was isolated in a glasshouse as a discovered mutation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new variety is a mutation of the variety Ficus maclellandii anddiffers significantly in appearance from its parent. The leaves of thenew variety are wider and somewhat longer than the parent. In addition,the growth rate of the new variety is at least 30% faster than itsparent and the apical growth displays red coloration which isever-present due to the fast metabolism of the plant even under lowlight and cool temperature conditions. However, from a visual standpointthe most significant distinctive feature from its parent is the largersize of the leaves.

Although the most unique feature of the new variety is the size of theleaves, its rapid growth habit and tolerance of conditions of stressmake Ficus `Amstel King` a desirable cultivar for the horticultureindustry.

The new variety has been asexually reproduced vegetatively by rootedcuttings in Aalsmeer, The Netherlands. Asexual reproduction throughsucceeding generations has established that the combination ofcharacteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar is firmly fixedand is retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

Comparison of Ficus `Amstel King` With its Parent Ficus maclellandii

The size of the leaves of the new variety is about 4 to 5 cm across atthe widest point, with an average overall length of about 22 cm. Thewidth of the leaves of the parent variety is about 2 to 2.5 cm and theoverall length is about 17 cm. Also, Ficus `Amstel King` has a fasterrate of growth, generally at least 30% greater under similar conditions,than its parent.

For a rooted cutting of 10 cm to reach a height of 1 meter for the`Amstel King` variety will take approximately 24 weeks.

For a rooted cutting of Ficus maclellandii to reach a height of 1 meterfrom a 10 cm cutting will take approximately 36 weeks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATION

The accompanying illustration shows a specimen of the new cultivar in aphoto illustration as true to color as is reasonably possible to make inan illustration of this character.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

Ficus `Amstel King` has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotypic expression may vary withvariations in environment such as temperature, light intensity and daylength.

The following observations and descriptions are of plants grown inAalsmeer, The Netherlands, in a greenhouse during the month of January.In this description, color references Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart (RHSCC). The terminology used in the color descriptions hereinrefers to plate numbers in this color chart.

Classification:

Botanical.--Ficus maclellandii cv. Ficus `Amstel King`.

Parentage: Mutation of Ficus maclellandii.

Propagation: By vegetative cuttings and other known asexual reproductiontechniques.

PLANT

A. Form: Upright, multiple-branching woody ornamental.

B. Growth: Extremely vigorous with uniform branching.

Height attained.--About 5 meters.

C. Foliage:

1. Size.--About 4 to 5 cm across at widest point with average overalllength about 22 cm.

2. Quantity.--Multiple, numerous.

3. Color.--New Foliage: Upper and under sides -- near 144A. Old Foliage:Upper side -- near 139A. Developing Foliage: Near 137A.

4. Shape.--Lanceolate with acuminate leaf tip.

5. Texture.--Smooth and glabrous, very crisp

6. Veination.--Single and pronounced; a single pronounced vein runs fromthe center of the petiole to the tip of the lance, smooth in shape andtexture.

7. Form.--Lanceolate.

8. Margin.--Smooth edge.

9. Petioles.--About 2.5 cm and alternating.

10. Resistance to disease.--Resistant to disease and very resistant toleaf drop under low light and other stressful conditions; hardy.

11. Variegation: None

D. Wood:

Color.--Near 165A with striations of near 165D; new shoots are greenishbrown; old wood is dark brown with almond-colored striations andspecules.

E. Fruit: The new variety has not yet borne fruit or flowers under thecontrolled environment of the glass houses in the Netherlands in whichplants have been propagated and grown.

GENERAL

Temperature range: To 1° C.; will withstand 1° C. to 35° C.

Internode spacing: About 2.5 cm.

Preferred growing conditions: 20° C. to 32° C.

Growth habit: Vigorous upright woody, multiple branching.

Leaves per stem: Multiple, alternating.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Ficus maclellandii namedFicus `Amstel King`, substantially as illustrated and described.